MONUMENTAL AFFAIR: (RE)THINK AWARD

MA (re)thINk Award: Entry Requirements and Judging Criteria

Sanctioning Organization

United States Green Building Council

Entry Requirements

A narrative site plan
Floor plan
All other requirements as noted in the entry instructions.

Notes:
The (re)thINk Award is a team award, so please collaborate with others in the design team so that multiple submissions aren’t received on the same project. As with A Monumental Award, the Designer, Builder and Owner will be recognized during the ceremony for the (re)thINk Award.

Since the (re)thINk Award is open to any project type, it’s possible that one or more of the criteria might not apply to your project. If so, you may list N/A, but you must provide a brief explanation of why it is not applicable.

Judging Criteria

Projects are judged on merit regardless of size. Projects will be graded based on the following sustainable attributes:

Sustainable Site Selection and Site Design

Choosing a building’s site and managing that site during construction are important considerations for a project’s sustainability. The Sustainable Site Selection and Site Design criterion favors development on previously developed land that minimizes a building’s impact on ecosystems and waterways; encourages regionally appropriate landscaping; plans for smart growth; provides innovative transportation choices; controls stormwater runoff; reduces erosion; ensures access to daylighting; and minimizes light pollution, heat island effect and construction-related pollution.

Water Stewardship

Buildings are major users of potable (drinkable) water. Access to clean water is vital for human and environmental health. The Water Stewardship criterion favors effective reduction of potable water usage. This can be accomplished through efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings; water-wise landscaping; alternative water sources; and innovative wastewater management.

Material Selection

The Materials Selection criterion addresses the responsible management of building materials and projects that make significant and meaningful strides toward the elimination of waste at all levels of design, construction, operations, and demolition. Special attention should be given to projects that consider the entire lifecycle of building materials.

Indoor Air, Light and Comfort

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has documented that Americans spend about 90% of their day indoors. Healthy and desirable interior environments are vitally important for human safety, productivity, and enjoyment. The Indoor Air, Light and Comfort criterion addresses healthy indoor air quality; access to daylight and views; controllability of thermal comfort and ventilation; and adjustability of natural and electric illuminance levels.

Energy Conservation

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of all energy and 74% of all electricity produced each year in the United States. The Energy Conservation criterion favors projects that successfully reduce their energy use as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Such ends may be arrived at through a wide variety of strategies such as: systems commissioning; energy use monitorization and management; energy efficient design and construction; energy efficient appliances, systems and lighting products; appropriate daylighting strategies; passive solar heating and cooling strategies; and utilization of renewable and clean energy sources generated on- or off-site.

Design Intent, Innovation and Beauty

Green design must look beyond environmental stewardship by also considering the social and spiritual aspects of design. The Design Intent, Innovation and Beauty criterion should favor projects that make a meaningful and innovative contribution to their natural and built context. Special attention should be paid to regional appropriateness regarding ecosystems and historical precedence.

Integrated and Verified Process

In order to effect deep change in building practices, it is vital that the green design community share knowledge, strive for continuous improvement, and encourage open communication among stakeholders. Thus, the Integrated and Verified Process criterion is meant to reward projects that sufficiently document their project’s integrated design process and/or their project’s actual energy and water usage. Project teams should not be penalized for lessons learned or even underperformance. Rather, teams should be rewarded for being forthcoming with quantifiable data. Project teams may provide construction or LEED documentation as necessary to verify project accomplishments.